Driving Change – CANEGROWERS unveils new transport guide

This industry-specific guide aims to enhance road transport safety and streamline compliance for sugarcane growers and transport operators.

The new resource addresses a long-standing need for updated and practical advice tailored to the sugarcane industry. It equips operators with the knowledge to ensure safer, more efficient transport practices.

CANEGROWERS Chairman Owen Menkens praised the initiative, emphasising its role in improving safety and providing clear guidance for growers and contract harvesters navigating transport challenges.

“This guide not only helps growers understand their legal responsibilities but also promotes safe and efficient transport practices,” Mr Menkens said.

“It reflects CANEGROWERS’ dedication to supporting growers in ways that often go unnoticed. As a grower-led organisation we’re committed to tackling both the day-to-day challenges faced by growers as well as the broader, industry-wide issues."

The guide focuses on key aspects of the Heavy Vehicle National Law (HVNL), as well as load restraint methods and chain of responsibility obligations.

With the NHVR now overseeing the delivery of heavy vehicle regulatory activities in Queensland, the guide serves as a practical and accessible reference for all operators in the transport chain.

"Safety is the number one priority of the NHVR, and we are committed to continually working with industry to improve safety outcomes for all road users,” NHVR’s Northern Region Director Kelli Ready said.

“We support and congratulate CANEGROWERS on this important safety initiative, and we were pleased our dedicated team were able to assist.

“Our work with CANEGROWERS following the April transition of heavy vehicles regulatory services in Queensland is further evidence of our commitment to working collaboratively with industry to improve safety and raise HVNL awareness.

“We value the relationships we have built in the past seven months, and we look forward to continuing to work with CANEGROWERS and other industry sectors across Queensland to improve safety and compliance," Ms Ready.

CANEGROWERS encourages all growers and cane transport operators to adopt the guide to improve safety practices and ensure compliance.

"By embracing the 2024 Sugarcane Transport Load Restraint Guide, we can collectively reduce risks and uphold the high standards that define our industry," Mr Menkens added.

The guide was developed by CANEGROWERS with input from the Farm Input and Research Committee and approval from the Policy Council. It also includes expert input from NHVR representatives such as Peter Rouse (Manager of Standards and Advice), Timothy Brown (Senior Policy Advisor), and Jarrod Wilson (Operations Manager).